VILLAGE OF CAMERON REGULAR BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2023

6:00 P.M.

CAMERON VILLAGE HALL

300 N. 1^st MAIN STREET

            The Cameron Village Board met in regular session on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cameron Village Hall.  Members present: Randy Hill, Jessica Larson, Dylan Bahr, Steve Johnson, Dave Ebner, and Russ Hulback presiding. Absent: Ben Hester

            Also present: Chuck Bellows, Mark Dobberfuhl, John Mitchell and Jaden Ebert.

            The minutes of the July10, 2023 regular meeting and July 18, 2023 special meeting were mailed out prior to the meeting. Steve Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the July10, 2023 regular meeting and July 18, 2023 special meeting as presented, second Dylan Bahr. Carried 6-0.

            The August payables were presented in printed form. Dave Ebner moved to approve the payment of the August payables with the additions, second Jessica Larson. Carried 6-0

APPEARANCES:

            Public Comment: There were no public comments.

            Mark Dobberfuhl, representing the Barron County Historical Society gave an update on what has going on at the Pioneer Village Museum this year. Currently the museum has 1.5 paid workers and about 200 volunteers. The Barron County Historical Society is in the process of fund raising to build visitor center, archival library & classroom. The new building will establish the museum as Barron County’s welcome center, help the museum transition to a year-round facility, include a multifunctional classroom to provide, student learning, teacher training, workshops and large group opportunities. The turn-key operation budget estimate for the project is $2,495,000, and they will start construction when they have received one-half of the funds, which they are hoping is 2026.They are inviting the Village to commit $5,000 a year for the next three years.

            Bill Koepp was not in attendance.

            Jaden Ebert submitted his monthly report and added that Tony completed his CDL training very quickly. They are experiencing vandalism by kids such as spray-painting obscenities, stealing cones and street signs, so more cameras may be needed to dissuade them. The utility extension going south off of Romsos Avenue has gone out for bids. Dave Sorenson approached Jaden regarding the Village potentially taking over the lease he has on the old feed mill.

            The compressor on the commercial freezer at the Community Center needs to be replace at an estimated cost of $1,222.37. Jaden recommends checking into replacing the freezer with a similar size residential grade freezer at a cost of $800 - $1000. Randy Hill moved to approve Jaden spending up to $1,000 for the purchase of a residential grade freezer if the County Health Inspector is okay with a residential freezer versus a commercial freezer, second Dave Ebner. Carried 6-0

            Jaden submitted a request to attend the 2023 Waste Water Operators Annual conference in Wisconsin Dells, October 24^th through October 27^th at an estimated cost of $904, which includes registration, mileage and hotel room. Steve Johnson moved to approve Jaden’s request to attend the 2023 Waste Water Operators Annual conference in Wisconsin Dells, October 24^th through October 27^th at an estimated cost of $904, second, Dylan Bahr. Carried 6-0

            Steve Johnson moved to approve a Class “B” Beer and Class “C” Wine original alcohol beverage retail license for the Mad Batter. (owner: Taylor Karpenske), second Dave Ebner. Carried 6-0

OLD BUSINESS

            Dave Ebner reported that the Street Committee met and reported that the County won’t be in until late August, early September to do the road patches. The Town of Stanley recently pulverized and re-blacktopped 13 – 12 ½ Avenue from County SS west to the railroad track. That road is a shared road with the Township so the Village should reimburse them for half the cost. Dave Ebner moved to pay the Town of Stanley $10,000 out of the undesignated funds for the Village’s portion of the resurfacing of a portion of 13 – 12 ½ Avenue, second Steve Johnson. Carried 6-0

            Dave Ebner reported that the Law Enforcement Committee met and reported that both of the new squads are in the Village’s possession waiting for the equipment to be installed so they can be put into service. Wade Goss had been given a public nuisance citation for his mess at the old box factory, but he plead not guilty and is awaiting a Municipal Trial. The committee also discusses potential ideas for a memorial for Officer Scheel.

NEW BUSINESS (There was no new business to address.)

 At 7:01pm roll call was taken to go into closed session according to State Statute 19:85 (1)(c) for consideration of employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee subject to the jurisdiction or authority of governing body:  Randy – yes, Dave – yes, Steve – yes, Russell – yes, Dylan – yes, Jessica - yes. 

              At 8:05 pm Dave Ebner made the motion to go back into Open Session, second Steve Johnson.  Carried 6-0

            Randy Hill moved to approve advertising for a full-time officer with a payrate between $27 and $30 per hour, dependent on qualifications and experience, second Steve Johnson. Carried 6-0

At 8:12 Randy Hill moved to adjourn the meeting, second Dave Ebner. Carried 6-0